By Jose Oby 
Warri, Delta State – June 10, 2025
In a press briefing held on Tuesday at Nenuwa Hall, Omadino Community in Warri South Local Government Area (LGA), Chief Priest Roland Oti Yomere, the Atsaka Ti Omadino and Chairman of the Legal & Litigations Sub-Committee of the Omadino Management Committee, addressed what he described as “false and mischievous narratives” propagated by certain elements within the Gbaramatu clan and Kantu community.
The press briefing was organized to clarify and correct misstatements, following recent claims made by Chief Government Ekpemupolo (also known as Tompolo) and Chief Godspower Gbenakama, a spokesman for the Gbaramatu Ijaw, regarding the history and territorial boundaries of Omadino and its people.
Historical Clarification of Omadino Community
Chief Yomere began by emphasizing the long history of Omadino, asserting that the community is an aboriginal Itsekiri settlement, integral to the Warri Kingdom and possessing a verifiable history spanning over seven centuries.
He clarified that Omadino’s historical presence predates the establishment of the Warri Kingdom and the formation of modern local government areas.
“Our ancestors have lived in this region for generations, founding settlements in areas now within the Warri South, Warri North, and Warri South West LGAs,” said Yomere. “Our heritage spans territories from Okerenghigho, Akpata, and Kokodiagbene, to Kantu, Ajelebe, and Lolomi, all part of the greater Warri Kingdom.”
Yomere further rejected claims that the Gbaramatu people were the original inhabitants of the region, noting that legal precedents, such as Suit No. W/29/1949, have long established that the lands of Omadino fall within the historical and customary rights of the Itsekiri people.
Refuting False Claims Regarding Kantu Community
The Omadino Chief Priest particularly took issue with the attempt to annex Kantu, a community within the Warri South West LGA. He stated that claims by Tompolo and his affiliates that Kantu is an Ijaw territory were not only false but also misinformed. According to Yomere, Kantu has been historically and legally recognized as an Itsekiri community with strong ties to Omadino.
“Let us be clear: there is no place called ‘Ikantu’ in Warri South West LGA. The community of Kantu, as it stands, is an Itsekiri community, not an Ijaw one,” Yomere asserted. “Tompolo and his cohorts are attempting to rewrite history by claiming Kantu as part of Gbaramatu, but these claims are baseless.”
Yomere also recounted the longstanding relationship between the Omadino people and Kantu, noting that Kantu’s founding members, including Abiloro of Omadino, had descendants who lived and thrived in the area. He highlighted that the Ijaw connection in Kantu, specifically through the marriage of Erenbo of Omadino to Oweizibiri of Gbaraun, did not make Kantu an Ijaw community.
Court Evidence and Legal Precedents
The legal history of Kantu was also brought into focus, with Yomere referencing historical court testimonies, such as those given in Suit No. W/29/1949, where the then President of Gbaramatu, Gbabo, confirmed that Kantu was never listed as part of the Gbaramatu clan. Yomere questioned the motives behind the recent claims, suggesting that they were part of a concerted effort by Tompolo and his associates to expand their territorial control.
“If Kantu had ever been part of Gbaramatu, why was it repeatedly attacked and burned during the Warri crisis by Gbaramatu Ijaws? These are the very people now trying to claim ownership of Kantu,” Yomere stated, referring to the violent events during the Warri crises.
Yomere also pointed out that Kantu is a community that has consistently fought for its rights under the Itsekiri heritage, including winning a landmark case against Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) over land acquisition in the Egwa Field. “Kantu has always been recognized as an Itsekiri community in legal cases, and this cannot be changed by anyone’s revisionist agenda,” Yomere said.
Call for Public Disregard of False Claims
The Omadino leader concluded his statement by calling on the public to disregard the false narratives being spread by Tompolo, Gbenakama, and their associates. He urged the people of Warri Kingdom and the wider public to resist efforts to distort the history of Kantu and Omadino communities.
“Kantu is not a bastardized community, and its rich Itsekiri history must be preserved. We call on the public to reject these shameless attempts to tarnish our heritage and to recognize the true history of our people,” Yomere concluded.
The press conference was attended by several prominent figures from Omadino and Kantu, who voiced their support for the community’s stance against the claims made by Gbaramatu and Kantu elements aligned with Tompolo.